X Factor winner confirms she overcame crippling health condition and has changed career

X Factor star Alexandra Burke has revealed the details behind her battle with IBS (Picture: Getty)

Former X Factor winner Alexandra Burke has revealed how she managed to overcome a debilitating battle with IBS to enter the next stage of her career,

The singer, 35, found fame after winning the fifth series of The X Factor. Following the show, she was signed onto Simon Cowell’s record label and released her winning single Halleluiah.

This became the UK’s top-selling single of 2008 and went on to win Christmas Number 1 that year also.

In 2009, the musician released her debut album, Overcome, which also reached Number 1 on the UK Albums Chart and spawned four Number 1 singles.

However, in private, the singer has struggled with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) – causing chronic pain and making it difficult for the musician to perform live.

Appearing on Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch, Alexandra revealed how she had managed to overcome the condition enough to return to the stage – and pivot from singing to acting with a new TV drama.

Alexandra appeared on Sunday Brunch this morning (Picture: Channel 4)

Speaking to hosts Simon Rimmer and Tim Lovejoy, Alexandra explained how IBS had affected her career so far – and how she had managed to overcome it.

‘I’ve got my confidence back after a long time. I was suffering quite badly from IBS a long time ago and I was scared to either jump on stage, do anything in front of the camera because – doing this, I’ve on been here a few times – I was always scared how I’d react,’ she told revealed.

She continued: ‘But now since taking this amazing probiotic I’ve found my energy levels are amazing, mentally I feel great, everything feels wonderful.’

Alexandra is now taking on a new career – acting (Picture: Channel 4)

‘I’m trying to take everything with both hands and run with it, because everything is not promised tomorrow.

Alexandra can currently be seen in the West End version of Sister Act, playing the role of Deloris van Cartier – as made famous by Whoopi Goldberg in the 1992 film and its sequel.

Alexandra is returning to the role after playing it between 2016 and 2017, in its UK and Ireland tour.

Alexandra was the winner of The X Factor’s fifth series in 2008 (Picture: Rex Features)

The star made her stage debut in 2014 with The Bodyguard Musical, and went on to star in Chess, Chicago and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Next up for Alexandra, as she revealed, is the drama TV show Curfew – a thriller about a society in which a new ruling, known as the Women’s Safety Act is introduced – imposing a curfew upon all men.

Alexandra stars as a school teacher and local advocate for the movement, alongside co-stars Sarah Parish and Doctor Who actor Mandip Gill.

Alexandra has returned to Sister Act: The Musical (Picture: Shutterstock)

This dramatic role marks a change for Alexandra, who is best known for her musical career and stage musicals.

This sudden change, she attributes to beating her IBS symptoms.

‘You want to enjoy everything that’s been given to you and work really hard. Make the kids proud,’ she finished.

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